Episode 2

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DMJ

Jan 17, 2018 8:23 pm
As the group moves further up the ridge, they see a large shape taking form in the fog. The first to notice it alerts everyone else, and the group stands ready.

Quickly the form solidifies and emerges from the fog. Barreling down the hill comes the horse of Ron Oram. The animal gallops by, running away down the hill, stomping through the leafy ferns and brush to the side of the ruin stone stairs. No rider on his back.

Another horn blare sounds out from the fog on the higher ground.

DMJ

Jan 17, 2018 8:44 pm
The group presses on up the stairs which top out on a bit of a large platform that has less of a slant, an area with slightly less density of trees. As you step into the fog, visibility and range of sight decrease.

As you get closer you hear someone heaving and shouting out in Heshbaan, under stress. Another voices is moaning in pain.

Mixed with that you hear clacking sounds and clanging. Swooshing of air. The sounds of a battle. It is close.

DMJ

Jan 17, 2018 8:54 pm
Suddenly images come into view. An armsman is running towards you. He carries one of his fellow armsmen over his shoulders. The injured man being carried is moaning and mumbling. His armor cuirass has been removed and his under shirt is covered in blood. The man carrying the other is Oram, and he is struggling from the strain, trying to run with the heavy weight.

From out to the side (coming in from the group's right, from Oram's left, at some inexact angle), an arrow cuts through the fog and plunges into Oram's side, low in his torso. He yells out in pain and stumbles, crashing to the ground. His comrade in carry hits the ground in a rough thud.

Oram stumbles trying to get to his feet. He does so with some effort. He glances around and draws a bronze gladius from his belt scabbard, and then turns back in the direction from which he came, apparently preparing for something to emerge in chase.

Oram and his injured companion are about 30 meters away, slightly uphill on a gradual rise.

DMJ

Jan 17, 2018 9:08 pm
Kray spots what he thinks is movement, some dark-clad form over to the right (west).

The figure seems to be closing in towards Oram, angling in from the side, while Oram faces off to the south.

It is difficult to see much detail, but Kray thinks he can hold sight on the shooter if he moves closer and towards him, but may lose sight if he turns away.

Potential shooter is roughly 50 meters away, to the right and uphill at an angle (southwestern direction).
Jan 18, 2018 2:00 am
A man wearing rugged clothes of a Heshbaan traveler emerges from the trees, running in from east, high up on the ridge. He has a short bow with an arrow notched, and a few more arrows carried in his hand. He quickly fires out into the fog to the west, in the direction of the archer who shot at Oram. He follows with a second shot, then a third in rapid succession.

The rugged bearded man kneels down briefly to check the soldier who lays on the ground, the one whom Oram dropped. He then looks down at the incoming party. He stares briefly down the hill, but then turns decisively, tossing the bow aside and drawing a curved sword. He strides up to stand beside Oram, who is facing the south, into the fog.

Oram pulls the arrow out from his side, shuddering from the pain, and drops it to the ground. Both men set their stances for battle and hold their weapons at ready, staring into the fog. These men are preparing to make a stand.

Something is coming.
Jan 18, 2018 1:15 pm
Are we good with our little group moving forward together to stand with Oram and Beardy?
Last edited January 18, 2018 1:16 pm
Jan 18, 2018 5:03 pm
Absolutely. Keep the front toward the direction we think the enemy is coming from.

Something like this, leaving Bryn as rearguard and/or sneak attack floater with Ivor & Bryn locking down the flanks sentinel style.

o= Oram
b= Beardy
.................

--south fog--

-----I-K-T------
--M--o---b
-------B--------
Last edited January 18, 2018 5:09 pm
Jan 18, 2018 5:08 pm
The group should provide full cover for Oram. Kray will use his shield to provide half cover for himself, giving +2 AC vs ranged fire.

Don't keep it too tight. Just close enough to keep enemies from penetrating the front.
Last edited January 18, 2018 5:13 pm
Jan 18, 2018 5:38 pm
OOC:
Roger that!
Ivor guards the group's flank as they move up to encircle Oram and the bearded stranger. He's itching to ask Oram what the fuck they're up against but decides against it. He looks out into the fog, ready for anything.
OOC:
J, I've forgotten which house rules are still legit and which have been trashed. You still allowing taking a defensive stance with the small shield?
Last edited January 18, 2018 5:41 pm
Jan 18, 2018 6:19 pm
I'm 99% sure J didn't trash that one. Makes too much sense and I don't think it makes combat mechanics lopsided like Combat Proficiency did.
Jan 18, 2018 6:22 pm
Bryn gladly takes the direction from Kray to take the rear-guard position and pulls two daggers from belt while trying to scan the treeline through the fog.

Rolls

Perception - (1D20+7)

(6) + 7 = 13

DMJ

Jan 18, 2018 6:25 pm
Everyone moves up the rise, digging in to make the climb in short time, and takes position shoulder to shoulder with Oram and the bearded traveler. Both men nod in appreciation and common purpose, but say nothing, keeping their focus, braced and searching through the fog ahead.

Peering into the fog, you see that it is thick, hanging in the air and among the trees almost like a tangible film.

Slowly they take shape within the swirl of mist. Their eyes you see first, then the outlines of their massive bodies. They stalk in baring their teeth. As they get close, they growl a low and disturbing grumble.

Before you in the fog, deadly hulking hounds!

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/idy45gkpbawoioh/Jara%20Hili%20hell%20hound%203.jpg

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/k5gepapv2l05tqg/Jara%20Hili%20hell%20hound.png

DMJ

Jan 18, 2018 6:39 pm
The great dogs are more than beasts. Their glowing eyes. Their massive corded muscles and irregularly large size. The devilish look of their maws and faces. These are monsters, things not of the natural order.

Six of these fiends are spread out through the fog and moving forward in a slow stalk. No two of them are exactly the same, as if different in breed but all from some same pit in Hel.

Everyone braces. A fear and uncertainty hangs at the edge of your mind like a spectre. You fight to resist the urge to escape this terror, to flee from these monsters.

REQUIRED ACTION: WIS Save. DC 8.

An arrow cuts in from the right, angling for Kray who has taken the forward center wedge.

Right after the arrow, the dark hounds charge!

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/6lh5lq4jcq61qcm/Jara%20Hili%20hell%20hound%202.jpg

Rolls

Arrow Attack vs. Kray from unseen shooter - (1d20+8)

(2) + 8 = 10

Damage - (1d6+4)

(5) + 4 = 9

Initiative, Dogs - (1d10+2)

(5) + 2 = 7

DMJ

Jan 18, 2018 6:46 pm
Jabes.plays.RPG says:
OOC:
J, I've forgotten which house rules are still legit and which have been trashed. You still allowing taking a defensive stance with the small shield?
OOC:
I'm good with all of the expanded shield rules. Just manage the details and the use of Actions that provided the advancements in AC.

DMJ

Jan 18, 2018 6:49 pm
OOC:
Someone roll Initiative for group. If you win vs. the above for opponents, fire at will.
Jan 18, 2018 7:05 pm
OOC:
Bryn shakes his head at the flat-footed party.
.
Last edited January 18, 2018 7:26 pm

Rolls

Group initiative - (1d10+4)

(1) + 4 = 5

Wis - (1d20+1)

(19) + 1 = 20

Jan 18, 2018 9:02 pm
WIS check

Rolls

Wisdom check - (1d20+3)

(13) + 3 = 16

Jan 18, 2018 11:20 pm
OOC:
Wis save

Rolls

Wis save - (1d20)

(20) = 20

DMJ

Jan 20, 2018 10:59 am
DMJ sent a note to DMJ
Managerial rolls, seeing what happens.

Rolls

1 - (1d20)

(1) = 1

2 - (1d20)

(14) = 14

3 - (1d20)

(1) = 1

4 - (1d20)

(8) = 8

5 - (1d6)

(5) = 5

DMJ

Jan 20, 2018 11:22 am
The urge to flee almost overtakes you as the monstrous dogs launch into a full charge, but you maintain your wits and stand ground.

WIS save success for Bryn, Ivor, Kray, Thorn.
WIS save needed for Maeriks.
OOC:
CB, are you still gaming, bro? Is Maeriks an NPC?
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